Possibly seen more often on TV than any other species, this is the only pelican with any recognised subspecies, five in all. It occurs commonly
on coasts from central USA to Ecuador (including Galapagos) and Brazil, plus the West Indies, and is increasing in numbers. The five subspecies are distinguished by size and the colour of
the bill and especially gular pouch, ranging from orange-yellow to red, but black in some. The Galapagos has its own subspecies urinator which could be a potential split, the next taxon having been
split some years ago. Both species are almost exclusively marine, a few Brown occur at the Salton Sea.
Taken N.Carolina May 2017, Baja Feb. 2008 and California Nov. 1988
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